We will be continuing our travels to Manuel Antonio. Please come join us and experience more of the country!!! You can go by city bus, shuttles, rental cars, party bus, or a short flight on SANSA airlines to Quepos. Quepos is only 20 minutes from Manuel Antonio. Buses or hotel shuttles can take you to your hotels. The drive from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio takes about 3 1/2 hours. There is so much to see and do on the drive, so don't let the travel time discourage you. Adriana can assist you with getting to Manuel Antonio. Message her your plans on WhatsApp, and she'll hook you up with transportation.
We will arrive in Manuel Antonio on the 22nd and depart back home on the 27th. We will be staying at La Mariposa. Unfortunately, Adriana does not have the negotiations power with the hotels in Manuel Antonio, which she has is La Fortuna, making the rates of a hotel block much higher than you can find online. Book directly through the hotel or another avenue such as Expedia to get a much better rate on your rooms. These are the 4 hotels I would recommend in the area: Shana by the Beach, Parador Nature Resort, San Bada Hotel and Spa, and La Mariposa Hotel. They all have good ratings and are more affordable than some of the other hotels in the region. I hope we can all be at the same hotel, but luckily, all of these are in close proximity to each other.
Manuel Antonio is the best of Costa Rica coastline. It combines jungle, idyllic beaches, and the shimmering Pacific Ocean, which is dotted with rock islets. The rainforest, rocky coves, and marine life draw people to this area from around the globe. You will find an array of wildlife including: two and three toed sloths, green and black iguanas, ogoutis, raccoons, coatis, over 450 species of birds, howler monkeys, the rare and endangered squirrel monkeys, and white-faced monkeys. Be alert with the noisy white-faced monkeys. They will pester you on the beach when you are eating and are known for stealing your food if you go for a swim. Please do not feed them because human food has led to various health issues.
Manuel Antonio National Park is a must-see if you come here. Purchase your tickets at the Coopealianza office in Quepos or Manuel Antonia (50 meters from the park's entrance). Tickets are valid for a year. The park is open from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., and is closed on Monday. I would suggest going early in the morning when it's cooler, so you are more likely to see the wildlife if full action. Guards will inspect your bags. You can only bring in fruit, sandwiches, and non-alcoholic drinks for the safety of the animals. If you want to experience a guided tour, be sure to book through a certified tour company and not someone who can randomly approach you. The certified guide gives you longer tours, is more knowledgeable, and is more experienced in spotting wildlife.
There are several paved trails that are well maintained and short walks within the park that will lead to stunning beaches. The first trail (sloth trail) will lead you to Manuel Antonio beach. Here, you can safely swim, snorkel the corral reefs (bring your own gear), and find shade in the palm trees. This beach is vast and is located within and outside of the park. Outside of the park, you can rent lounge chairs, find restaurants, and lifeguards are on duty.
The second trail leads to Playa Espadilla Sur. Two stunning beaches lie on either side of a tombola. It's a sandy strip that connects the mainland to rocky Punta Cathedral. It is absolutely stunning and worth the visit. However, there can be strong rip tides on the main beach. If you ever find yourself in a rip tide, swim PARALLEL TO THE SHORE. Do not swimmers directly to the shore. On the southern end of the beach, you can rent lounge chairs and enjoy the various restaurants. You'll often find people surfing, playing volleyball, or sandcastle architects in the dry season. There are lifeguards on duty closest to the park.
The third trail leads to Playa Escondido. This rocky and rough beach is closed to the public because of its turbulent waters. Don't let that deter you from the short hike. The views are stunning!
A notable beach outside of the park is Playa Biesanz. It is less frequented and has placid water for swimming and snorkeling. You can rent snorkeling gear for $10 or kayaks for $30. Tide pools are also fun to see the local marine species.
There is a little nightlife in Samuel Antonio. Barbara Roja is one of the best places to go for a sunset cocktail, live music, and local beers on tap. Victorias is a romantic Italian restaurant with a wonderful wine list and great food. Since Manuel Antonio is frequented from people across the globe, you will find great diversity in the restaurants available. There's a little something for everyone.
Beyond the national park and beaches, there are many other exciting things to do in Manuel Antonio. These activities include: zip lining, hiking, horseback riding to waterfalls, deep sea fishing, whale watching, kayaking, snorkeling (research beaches for rip tides), scuba diving, surfing, jungle tours, canopy tours, bird watching, and white-water rafting.
We may schedule a day trip to Isla Tortuga (details to come). Its soft white sand beaches and clear turquoise water are perfect for snorkeling around a large rock. The island is un-populated, but it is busy with tourists. It's better to go on a weekday. There's a 40-minute hiking trail that takes you through the tropical dry forest to a Vista with phenomenal views. You can kayak to Curu National Wildlife Refuge or enjoy other water sports.
Here are some cities you'll pass along the way to Manuel Antonio:
If you're driving yourself, going by private car, or shuttle; be sure to stop by the town of Tarcoles. You can see dozens of crocodiles gathered on the banks of the river from the bridge and possibly spot some scarlet macaws. It is free and worth the stop. We will be doing a river boat trip to break up the drive for the kids. It's a 2 hour boat ride on the Rio Tarcoles River. On this boat ride, you can see and feed the massive crocodiles. There are also iguanas, jesus lizards, and over 50 species of birds. We will book our boat trip through Man Tours.
For you golf enthusiasts, stop by the town of Playa Herrandura. This upscale town has a marina and great food. Its horseshoe shaped beach is placid and safe for swimming. Although it lacks some of the luster that other Costa Rican beaches offer.
The next town is Jaco. This is a large town devoid of greenery. It's a seedy town known for gambling, night life, and prostitution. Although there have been recent efforts to make it more family orientated. Theft can be a problem, so watch your wallet and lock your car. Playa Jaco is not the prettiest of Costa Rican beaches, but it has consistent waves for surfers. Avoid swimming because there can be strong rip currents. Jaco has its strong points as well. For one, there are endless activities. Some of them include: ATV rides through the jungle, canopy tours, kayaking, canoeing, surf lessons, ziplining, Cavora National Park, rainforest areal tram, and Pura Vida garden and waterfall. If you hit the town, try some of their "fruity monkey poop" candy. There is also a lively night scene. Orange Pub provides a DJ on weekends for dancing. Croc's Casino is great to catch a game or drink freely while gambling your money away. Puddlefish Brewery has handcrafted beer with live music most nights.
The next town is a surf town named Playa Hermosa. This secluded beach has dark gray sand and is littered with driftwood. There's an absence of trees for shade cover, so go in the morning or evening. There's a strong rip current, so this beach is better for surfers, not swimmers. Here, you can get surf lessons or go on turtle tours. From June through December, the olive ridley turtles nest on the beach at night, especially with low moonlight. Fortunately for us, there's a new moon on July 25th, making little to no moonlight while we're in the area!!! We may have to do this one night!!!
The next town is an under the radar community named Esterillos Este. It's one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica. The beach is isolated and has hallow barrel waves. They also provide surf lessons and horseback riding.
Quepos is a hot, dusty, rundown town but is a hub for banks, supermarkets, and other services. This town is about 20 minutes from Manuel Antonio, where we'll be staying. There are public buses that will take you directly to the airport and go several times a day (6a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.). The buses are reliable and it's just under a 4 hour drive. Interbus does hotel pickup and will take you directly to the airport. They go a few times a day. You can also rent a car here or do the short 20-minute flight to San Jose on SANSA Airlines. Flights depart several times a day. The concierge at your hotel will be happy to assist you with your travel needs.
Quepos is one of the best locations to go deep sea fishing. They have tours to Rainmakers Preserve, where you can find different animals than in Manuel Samuel. Here, you will find 75% of Costa Rican wildlife represented, including scarlet macaws and toucans. There is a micro brewery in the park that uses the local mountain water to Brewery their beer. Go in the morning because it often rains in the afternoon. Canopy Safari Tours has the reputation for its long and fast-paced rides (which include 11 ziplines, a Tarzan swing, 2 rappel lines, and an on-site butterfly garden and serpentarium. Iguana Tours provide many fun options, such as: white water rafting down the Naranjo River (class III-IV) or the Savegre River (class II-III), kayaking, birdwatching, horseback riding, catamaran trips, and canopy tours.